Santa Clara County Biographies
This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm
CAPT. JAMES A. HAMILTON,
residing on Johnson Avenue, in the Cambrian District, is the owner of twenty-one
acres, all in fruit-bearing trees, which he bought in September, 1882. The
orchard was then but a few months old, and comprised apricots, Bartlett pears,
and French prunes. In 1887, from 537 apricot trees, 54 tons were gathered, and
sold at $30 per ton�a result of which the Captain, considering the age of the
trees, feels justly proud.
He was born in Portage County, Ohio, November 10, 1826. He is the son of
Thomas and Almira (Austin) Hamilton. His father died before his birth, and his
mother afterwards made her home in Connecticut. James was reared by Albert
Austin, an uncle, receiving such school advantages as were common to the youth
in those days, and also attended for three years the Suffield school. Early
imbued with a desire to learn more of the world, and possessing in a large
degree an adventurous spirit, he left home at the early age of eighteen years,
and shipped as a sailor before the mast, at Sag Harbor, New York, on the old
whaling vessel Italy. His first voyage was one of three and one-half years. Upon
his return, he visited his mother, now deceased ; but in love with a life on the
"rolling deep," he had not a thought of becoming a plodding landsman again.
Strong, trusty, and reliable, he passed the grade of second mate, and in 1854
became master of a vessel. His second voyage was made in the Sheffield; his
third, as boat-steerer on the Italy again; his fourth voyage was as second mate
of the same vessel ; his fifth, as second mate of the Republic; the next one, as
Master of the Prudent; then of the Charles W. Morgan, Sea Breeze, and Northern
Light. The last-named vessel was partially wrecked in the North Pacific Ocean,
on the twenty-second of March, 1883. Captain Hamilton received great credit for
saving his dismasted ship. His last four voyages were made as master of the Emma
F. Herriman, the last five years sailing from San Francisco. On the
twenty-seventh of July, 1887, he was prostrated with a sickness which at the
time it was feared would prove fatal. He was obliged to leave his vessel in the
Japan Seas, and returned to his pleasant home, in this county.
Having recovered his usual health, he is now one of the most
enthusiastic horticulturists of Santa Clara Valley, and is firmly convinced that
his seafaring days are over. He has been remarkably fortunate as a master, never
having lost a vessel, nor made an unsuccessful voyage. To the furthermost seas,
north and south, visited by the most energetic and daring of whalers, he has
taken his vessels. Combining caution with splendid courage, his career as a
master is one of which he may be pardonably proud.
At the Sandwich Islands, in 1868, Mr. Hamilton married Miss Anna W.
Thrum, who was born in Australia, of English parentage. Their three children,
Edith, Augusta, and Robert, all as yet make their home with their parents. The
Captain is an ardent Republican.
Pen Pictures From The Garden of the World or Santa Clara County, California,
Illustrated. - Edited by H. S. Foote.- Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company,
1888.
Pg. 625-626